About Us
|
 |
We would
like to welcome you to Eagle Valley Raptor Center,
and we hope you have wonderful learning experience!
Eagle Valley Raptor Center Inc. was formed in
2002. We purchased 20 acres of land near Cheney,
Kansas and started construction in 2003. We formed
a Board of Directors and applied for and received
our 501.3(c) status as a nonprofit organization
and we were on our way.
Since 1998 we have taken in on average over 100
birds a year due to injuries, poisoning or orphaned
as babies. We felt the need to build a facility
that not only would provide a place to care for
these birds, but to offer an educational opportunity
for schools, churches, scout groups, 4-H, seniors
and other appropriate organizations to come and
learn about these important species to our Kansas
environment. |
We currently have 12 holding pens we have built for
our non-releasable Hawks, Owls and Eagles. We are also
have the largest flight-pen for eagles in the region: a 100 feet long by 20 feet
tall by 20 feet wide. This flight pen allows us to
exercise and condition injured birds prior to their release. The
building was made possible
by the efforts of Westar Energy Green Team, lead by
team leader Brad Loveless, Steve Vaughn, Jeff Pennington
and several company lineman. They have donated materials,
labor and financial support.
Bob Daves from the Wichita Carpenters' Union, Steve
Vaughn from Westar, and Ron Lockwood from Coatsville,
Pennsylvania, have donated countless hours in labor.
Harp Well Service and Brand Plumbing have donated labor
and materials. matt Ritchie from Rcon Concrete Company
donated concrete, Troy Thissen from TT Concrete donated
help with the pouring and the finishing of the sidewalks,
pavilion and bathroom.
Jim Tadtman from Wildcat Construction donated materials,
labor and equipment to build our parking lot for cars
and buses that visit our center. Mike Eastman from Eastman
Construction donated labor to help frame the pavilion.
Doyle Heimerman donated labor and machinery for drilling
post holes, preparing the fields for planting native
prairie grass, spreading gravel and preparing the ground
for construction. Becker Tree Service supplied trees
at a reduced cost. Home Depot made a generous grant
for the materials needed for the flight pen. Eldorado
Walmart has generously given us many grants. A very
special thank-you goes out to Dr. Davey Harkins from
the Eldorado Animal Clinic. For the last several years,
Dr. Davey has provided vet care for our birds at little
or no cost to us. His generosity has been a tremendous
and valuable help to us.
After many years of hard work, with the help of generous
individuals and companies, Eagle Valley Raptor Center
has become a positive influence in the community,
providing educational opportunities for today's youth.
Sincerely:
Ken Lockwood
Program Director
Eagle Valley Raptor Center |
